Overview

On 21 March 2012, orphan designation (EU/3/12/973) was granted by the European Commission to NDA Regulatory Science Ltd, United Kingdom, for recombinant human beta-glucuronidase for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (Sly syndrome).

The sponsorship was transferred to NDA Group AB, Sweden, in December 2013 and subsequently to Ultragenyx UK Limited, United Kingdom, in May 2015.

Recombinant human beta-glucuronidase for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (Sly syndrome) has been authorised in the EU as Mepsevii since 23 August 2018.

This medicine is now known as vestronidase alfa.

The sponsor’s address was updated in November 2020.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (also known as Sly syndrome) is an inherited disease caused by a lack of the enzyme beta-glucuronidase. This enzyme is needed to break down substances in the body called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). If the enzyme is not present, GAGs cannot be broken down and they build up in the cells and damage them. This causes a wide range of problems such as short stature, skeletal abnormalities, joint stiffness, enlarged spleen and liver, lung infections, heart problems and hernias. Patients usually die within the first year of life, although some survive into their teenage years.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type VII is a life-threatening disease with many patients dying in early childhood. It also debilitating due to the physical and skeletal abnormalities that occur.

At the time of designation, mucopolysaccharidosis type VII affected approximately 0.001 in 10,000 people in the European Union (EU). This was equivalent to a total of around 50 people*, and is below the ceiling for orphan designation, which is 5 people in 10,000. This is based on the information provided by the sponsor and the knowledge of the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP).


*Disclaimer: For the purpose of the designation, the number of patients affected by the condition is estimated and assessed on the basis of data from the European Union (EU 27), Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. At the time of designation, this represented a population of 512,200,000 (Eurostat 2013).

At the time of designation, no satisfactory methods were authorised in the EU for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis type VII. Bone marrow transplantation was sometimes used to treat the condition.

Recombinant human beta-glucuronidase is an enzyme replacement therapy that is expected to work by replacing the missing beta-glucuronidase enzyme in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type VII. The medicine is produced by a method known as 'recombinant DNA technology', which involves inserting a gene into a cell, enabling the cell to make the enzyme.

At the time of submission of the application for orphan designation, the evaluation of the effects of recombinant human beta-glucuronidase in experimental models was ongoing.

At the time of submission, no clinical trials with recombinant human beta-glucuronidase in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type VII had been started.

At the time of submission, recombinant human beta-glucuronidase was not authorised anywhere in the EU for mucopolysaccharidosis type VII or designated as an orphan medicinal product elsewhere for this condition.

In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of 16 December 1999, the COMP adopted a positive opinion on 11 January 2012 recommending the granting of this designation.

  • the seriousness of the condition;
  • the existence of alternative methods of diagnosis, prevention or treatment;
  • either the rarity of the condition (affecting not more than 5 in 10,000 people in the EU) or insufficient returns on investment.

Designated orphan medicinal products are products that are still under investigation and are considered for orphan designation on the basis of potential activity. An orphan designation is not a marketing authorisation. As a consequence, demonstration of quality, safety and efficacy is necessary before a product can be granted a marketing authorisation.

EU/3/12/973: Public summary of opinion on orphan designation: Recombinant human beta-glucuronidase for the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (Sly syndrome)

Key facts

Active substance
Recombinant human beta-glucuronidase (vestronidase alfa)
Medicine name
Mepsevii
Intended use
Treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis type VII (Sly syndrome)
Orphan designation status
Positive
EU designation number
EU/3/12/973
Date of designation
Sponsor

Ultragenyx Germany GmbH
 

Review of designation

The Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products reviewed the orphan designation of Mepsevii at the time of marketing authorisation, and confirmed that the orphan designation should be maintained.

More information is available in the Mepsevii : Orphan maintenance assessment report (initial authorisation).

Patients' organisations

For contact details of patients’ organisations whose activities are targeted at rare diseases, see:

  • European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS), a non-governmental alliance of patient organisations and individuals active in the field of rare diseases.

  • Orphanet, a database containing information on rare diseases, which includes a directory of patients’ organisations registered in Europe.

EU register of orphan medicines

The list of medicines that have received an orphan designation in the EU is available on the European Commission's website:

EMA list of opinions on orphan medicinal product designation

EMA publishes information on orphan medicinal product designation adopted by the Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) on the IRIS online platform:

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